Special Edition

Welcome to Tech Talk, Pico Macom's series of technical notes, featuring useful information and equipment tips. This special edition installment of Tech Talk discusses using the incredible Pico Macom EAS-12B emergency alert all-channel override system.

The Most Efficient Way to Inform Everyone!

In the event of an emergency, the capability to instantaneously interrupt every channel with news and safety updates is the most valuable service available to your customers. The Pico Macom EAS-12B provides a path for 12 channels of video and audio to loop through and one override video and audio source.

Through our research and our customer requests, we have found that 11 to 12 channels are ideal in a single rack. The EAS-12B is also the perfect complement to the MPC Series of 12-channel mini-modulator chassis. EAS-12B units can be daisy-chained to provide 23, 34, 45, 56 or more to configure to any channel combination.

Operation Is Simple

After connection, simply provide a contact closure or TTL low +5Vdc continually during the override period and video/audio information of every channel looped through will be replaced by the override source. When the open load status is restored, the original programming will automatically be restored.

Connection is Easy

There are slight variations in the way that the EAS-12B can be connected. Below are the most common connections; however, for assistance with your specific application, our highly trained staff will provide the guidance to ensure your success.

New System Connection
If you are in the process of installing a new multi-channel delivery system, follow the steps below:

  1. Connect a cable between the video output of the desired source and the first video input connector on the left rear of the EAS-12B.
  2. Connect a cable between the first video output connector on the left rear of the EAS-12B and the video input connector of the desired modulator.
  3. Connect a cable between the audio output of the desired source and the first audio input connector on the left rear of the EAS-12B.
  4. Connect a cable between the first audio output connector on the left rear of the EAS-12B and the audio input connector of the desired modulator.
  5. Repeat steps 1-4 for each channel.
  6. Connect a cable between the video output of the override source and the override video input connector on the right rear of the EAS-12B.
  7. Connect a cable between the audio output of the override source and the override audio input connector on the right rear of the EAS-12B.
  8. Connect a wire pair between the ENABLE/DISABLE terminal strip and the override trigger switch (switch not provided)
  9. Insert the power plug into the power receptacle wall socket.
  10. With the EAS-12B fully installed, connected and powered, verify that each modulator is adjusted to 87.5% modulation depth or to a brightness level that does not interfere with channel audio.

Existing System Connection
If you are in the process of installing the EAS-12B into an existing multi-channel delivery system, follow the steps below:

  1. Move the cable from the modulator video input and connect it to the first video input on the left rear of the EAS-12B.
  2. Connect a cable between the first video output connector on the left rear of the EAS-12B and the video input connector of the desired modulator.
  3. Move the cable from the modulator video input and connect it to the first video input on the left rear of the EAS-12B.
  4. Connect a cable between the first audio output connector on the left rear of the EAS-12B and the audio input connector of the desired modulator.
  5. Repeat steps 1-4 for each channel.
  6. Connect a cable between the video output of the override source and the override video input connector on the right rear of the EAS-12B.
  7. Connect a cable between the audio output of the override source and the override audio input connector on the right rear of the EAS-12B.
  8. Connect a wire pair between the ENABLE/DISABLE terminal strip and the override trigger switch (switch not provided)
  9. Insert the power plug into the power receptacle wall socket.
  10. With the EAS-12B fully installed, connected, and powered, verify that each modulator is adjusted to 87.5% modulation depth or to a brightness level that does not interfere with channel audio.
EAS-12B Existing System Connection

Stereo Channel System Connection
To connect a stereo encoded channel through the EAS-12B, follow the steps below.

  1. Connect a cable between the video output of the desired source and the video input connector of the PMSE stereo encoder.
  2. Connect a cable between the video output of the PMSE stereo encoder and the first video input connector on the left rear of the EAS-12B.
  3. Connect a cable between the first video output connector on the left rear of the EAS-12B and the video input connector of the desired modulator.
  4. Connect a cable between the left audio output of the desired source and the left audio input connector of the PMSE stereo encoder.
  5. Connect a cable between the left audio output of the desired source and the right audio input connector of the PMSE stereo encoder.
  6. Connect a cable between the audio output of the PMSE stereo encoder and the first audio input connector on the left rear of the EAS-12B.
  7. Connect a cable between the first audio output connector on the left rear of the EAS-12B and the audio input connector of the desired modulator.
  8. Repeat steps 1-4 for each channel.
  9. Connect a cable between the video output of the override source and the override video input connector on the right rear of the EAS-12B.
  10. Connect a cable between the audio output of the override source and the override audio input connector on the right rear of the EAS-12B.
  11. Connect a wire pair between the ENABLE/DISABLE terminal strip and the override trigger switch (switch not provided)
  12. Insert the power plug into the power receptacle wall socket.
  13. With the EAS-12B fully installed, connected, and powered, verify that each modulator is adjusted to 87.5% modulation depth or to a brightness level that does not interfere with channel audio.
EAS-12B Stereo Connection

EAS-12B Daisy-Chain Connection
To connect multiple EAS-12B units together, follow the steps below:

  1. Connect a cable between the video output of the override source and the override video input connector on the right rear of the EAS-12B.
  2. Connect a cable between the audio output of the override source and the override audio input connector on the right rear of the EAS-12B.
  3. Connect a cable between the last video output connector on the right rear of the EAS-12B and the first video input connector on the left rear of the next EAS-12B unit.
  4. Connect a cable between the last audio output connector on the right rear of the EAS-12B and the first audio input connector on the left rear of the next EAS-12B unit.
  5. Connect a wire pair between the ENABLE/DISABLE terminal strip on the right rear of the EAS-12B and the right rear of the next EAS-12B unit.
  6. Repeat steps 3~5 foe each EAS-12B to be connected.
  7. Connect a cable between the video output of the desired source and the first video input connector on the left rear of the EAS-12B.
  8. Connect a cable between the first video output connector on the left rear of the EAS-12B and the video input connector of the desired modulator.
  9. Connect a cable between the audio output of the desired source and the first audio input connector on the left rear of the EAS-12B.
  10. Connect a cable between the first audio output connector on the left rear of the EAS-12B and the audio input connector of the desired modulator.
  11. Repeat steps 1-4 for each channel on each EAS-12B (the 12th input set on the EAS-12B is left unconnected).
  12. Connect a wire pair between the last EAS-12B ENABLE/DISABLE terminal strip and the override trigger switch (switch not provided)
  13. Insert the power plug into the power receptacle wall socket.
  14. With the EAS-12B fully installed, connected, and powered, verify that each modulator is adjusted to 87.5% modulation depth or to a brightness level that does not interfere with channel audio.
EAS-12B Daisy-chain Connection

Using Pico Macom EAS-12B and other products are a snap!

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